Chapter 6

August

“Your what?”

Why did my voice come out that way? Ross looked down at me, without any expression on his face.

“Did you not quite hear me?”

“I did,” I replied. “Loud and clear. The board members are obviously —”

“If you cannot identify the board members by now, then maybe I made a mistake,” he suddenly snapped. “I'll be in my office, I do not want to be disturbed.”

I watched him close the door behind him, then a strangled scream escaped my throat. Why did I act like a school girl? I knew he was si gke, an a rich well to do business man, and more importantly, I had done my research and I knew who the members of the board were.

I quickly found all their emails, and drafted a mail, copying them all to it with the heading, Marriage proposal. When I was done, I let out a sigh fo relief.

My first task, done.

“Hey girl,” Rebekah peeked into the office. “How s it going?

“Not bad. Did you see the mail?”

“I sure did,” she walked in and sat on my desk. “Kudos on the copyrighting and the heading. Straight to the point and I am sure you had some of those old crackers clutching their chests, their eyes open with pain.”

“Who does this though?” I asked, shaking my head. “Marriage is such a big deal, like the union of two people that are meant to be in love. Who just sets up a meeting like it's some building they want to buy?”

“Ross does,” she replied with a small smile. “You'll get used to it though. Everything is negotiated and a contract. Marriage for power is way better than a marriage for love, trust me.”

“Okay, I will come back to that last comment, but isn't that crazy? I mean, he was married once?”

“Yes, but no one remembers her. She really hated the business parts of the company, and after she died, Ross wiped all pictures of her from the Internet. Not like there wa smuch though,” she explained.

Gosh, that wa so sad. I bit my lips, staring at his office.

“You are married right?”

I blinked. “Yeah, yeah I have a husband.”

“Can I see the ring?”

I showed her the ring Garrett got for me after I woke up. He said my wedding band got lost in the accident, but this was more special because it meant a fresh new start for us both.

“It's very gaudy,” she grinned. “Lucky you.”

“I know,” I smiled. “He's very doting.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Five years,” I said. “Although, I can't remember it all.”

Rebekah’s brows furrowed. “What?”

“Never mind. Ugh, do I have to set the board room up?”

“Yes, and order refreshments too and be present at the meeting. You sent the mail to his mother right?”

“Is she a board member?” I asked.

“No, but seeing it has to do with his marriage, I guess she would be interested. Plus, even if she hates how this would be happening, she would be relieved he is moving on.”

“Is he being forced to get married or what?” I laughed.

“Something like that. He has to get married before he is thirty, or he loses the majority of the shares that makes him the CEO to Daniel, and he will have to step down as chairperson of the board. It's all part of his father's will,” Rebekah explained.

“That is stupid,” I scoffed. “If he is fit to be CEO, which he is, why does he need to be married?”

“Let's just say the old Mr. Ginattini was something of a romantic, a hopeless one at that. He and his wife fell in love as teenagers and were married more than forty years before he died.”

Wow. “That must be…amazing.”

“I couldn't do it,” Rebekah shrugged. “Being married to one person for that long? I would gouge my eyes out.”

I liked her. “You've not just been in love.”

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice dropping. “Maybe I haven't.”

“Right, so I need to arrange refreshments?”

“Let me do all that for you,” she slid off my desk. “Call it my welcome package.”

“You are a darling,” I groaned. It was sad that he had to get married just to keep his company. I tried not to think about it, and opened my laptop, needing to study more when his office door opened.

“Rebekah,” Ross said, “I hope you are not distracting August?”

He was so different from yesterday, I thought. His suit even looked more structured, his jaw harder and he did not glance at me even though he was speaking about me.

“I am not. Was just impressed by her little mail his morning.”

His green eyes flickered to me. “Yes, it was something. I'm heading out, I should be back before noon.”

I struggled not to smile as he walked out. “He like she mail?” I asked, my voice giving away my joy.

“Girl, you might just last,” Rebekah chortled. “I'm off to do my job.”

She was almost out when I remembered something. “Hey Rebekah?”

“Yes, cutie?”

“Do you have any idea who the woman he will marry is?”

She paused, and shook her head. “I'm not really sure,” she replied. “We'll probably find out today.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

This was already a crazy morning, a groom and a bride undecided.

I just hoped I don't get swarmed up in the drama of it all.